Exporing where East meets West in Türkiye

Previous Day Prev P

Next Day Next N

Monday, 20 April 2026 - A cancelled hot air balloon ride due to snow led to a full day exploring Cappadocia’s winter landscape. Snow-dusted cave villages, fairy chimneys, and the Zelve Open Air Museum revealed ancient monastic life carved into volcanic rock. The day continued through underground cities and Byzantine frescoed churches before ending at a cave hotel dinner beneath a Last Supper replica.

Cal was supposed to go on a hot air ballon this morning. We woke up at 0400, and it was snowing!!!! The ballons rides were canceled. Maybe the weather would improve in 24 hours.

Cappadocia is known for the villages carved into volcanic rock developed by Early Christian monks and communities during the Byzantine period between the 4th and 13th centuries AD.

turkey2026 — Snow-covered cave homes overlooked the valley at dawn. Cappadocia’s volcanic rock has sheltered communities for centuries. Fresh snow highlighted every ridge and carved doorways.

turkey2026 — Another cluster of cave homes appeared across the valley. Families carved entire villages directly into the soft volcanic stone. The pale rock blended naturally into the snowy hillsides.

turkey2026 — Snow gathered quietly on a small bench outside the hotel. The storm that canceled the balloon rides continued through the morning. The scene emphasized just how cold the day had become.

turkey2026 — Colorful figures stood outside the caves like storybook characters. The display resembled Snow White and several dwarves. It added an unexpected bit of whimsy to the rocky landscape.

turkey2026 — Picked up by our guide, Basri, we headed out to explore Cappadocia.

We stopped to admire "Camel Rock".

turkey2026 — We then arrived in the Zelve Open Air Museum. The valley was a monastic retreat between the 9th and 13th centuries. The site was inhabited until 1952 when villagers were relocated to nearby Yeni Zelve ("New Zelve") due to safety concerns.

turkey2026 — The village is amazing. In one of the caves you can see a mill stone. An animal would turn the mill stone in the mill cave. To the right are steps traversing the cliff.

turkey2026 — Over millions of years, wind and water erosion shaped these soft volcanic rocks into the region's characteristic fairy chimneys and rock formations. Prominent rock formations are composed of harder volcanic rock layers, which were more resistant to erosion than the surrounding softer deposits. As a result, these formations remained elevated over time and were later adapted for the construction of rock-cut castles and settlements.

turkey2026 — The small openings in this cave are for pigeons. Pigeon droppings were historically collected to fertilize vineyards. Entire pigeon houses were carved directly into the cliffs.

turkey2026 — The volcanic landscape looked both rugged and beautiful. Entire communities adapted naturally to the rock formations around them.

turkey2026 — A cave window framed the neighboring homes across the valley. Families once lived in these interconnected rock settlements year-round. The openings provided light, air, and remarkable views.

turkey2026 — Tall chimney-like rocks stood above the village. The formations were created through uneven volcanic erosion. Many seemed almost too fragile to remain standing.

turkey2026 — An ancient cave winery was carved directly into the stone. Grapes were crushed inside the arched basin and drained into reservoirs. Wine production has existed here for centuries.

turkey2026 — Hundreds of caves lined the valley walls in every direction. Homes, churches, and storage rooms filled the soft volcanic cliffs. The scale of the settlement was astonishing.

turkey2026 — A pigeon house stood beside a human dwelling. Decorations often help attract pigeons back to specific nests?? People and birds shared the same carved landscape.

turkey2026 — A sweeping curve of cave homes wrapped around the valley wall. Entire neighborhoods were carved into the rock face. The arrangement resembled a natural stone amphitheater.

turkey2026 — Looking out from one of the homes you can go into. The view is of the homes across the valley and the mountain range creating the rock homes.

turkey2026 — Entrance into a church indicated by the paint on the door decoration.

turkey2026 — Upper chambers rose above the church interior. Some churches included multiple levels for worship and residence. The carved architecture felt surprisingly sophisticated.

turkey2026 — The main entrance to the church which you can enter. Inside it is a cave, of course, which was not adorned by much.

turkey2026 — Two crosses were carved into the church wall near the entrance. Christian symbols were often etched directly into the stone. The carvings have survived for centuries.

turkey2026 — A modern sidewalk led to an ancient cave home. The combination made the dwelling feel surprisingly ordinary. Stone architecture blended seamlessly with modern touches.

turkey2026 — A small mosque stood quietly within the village. Religious traditions continued here long after the Christian cave settlements. The structure reflected Cappadocia’s layered history. In 1923 a League of Nations sponsored treaty forced all the Greek Orthodox Christians to leave Türkiye for Greece.

turkey2026 — One of the larger caves opened into a spacious chamber. These rooms once served as homes, storage areas, or gathering places. The interiors remained cool and sheltered year-round.

turkey2026 — Decorated pigeon houses covered portions of the cliff walls. Some featured painted details intended to attract returning birds. The tiny openings created intricate patterns in the rock.

turkey2026 — This home is interesting as it has a unique security feature. The round stone is used to block the entrance.

turkey2026 — Handholds and footholds climbed steeply up the rock face. Residents navigated the cliffs using carved steps and grips. Daily life required impressive agility.

turkey2026 — The cave homes resembled something from a fantasy world. The setting and homes reminded us of Hobbiton in New Zealand. The soft curves and hidden doors felt almost fictional.

turkey2026 — We then traveled to Three Beauties & Fairy Chimneys a unique park of strange rock pillars. Their shape is like mushrooms with hats.

turkey2026 — The volcanic rock in several layers eroded at different rates leaving the harder basalt on top protecting the softer rock below safe from the rain.

turkey2026 — Looking over the entire area you can see the line of basalt rock which helped create the odd shapes.

turkey2026 — The caps look too large to stay on top of the soft base below.

turkey2026 — Early Christians dug into the rocks to create homes and churches.

turkey2026 — Unusual rock shapes appeared around every corner. Volcanic erosion created endlessly varied formations throughout the valleys. Each outcrop seemed to have its own personality.

turkey2026 — A rock carved into a church with an inside multi story residence for the priest above the church. Tourists are nt allowed inside.

turkey2026 — Another cluster of striking rock formations filled the valley. The landscape constantly shifted between natural sculpture and human settlement. Every viewpoint offered something different.

turkey2026 — A narrow stone column supported a massive rock cap above. Several formations have collapsed over time through erosion. This one still balanced precariously.

turkey2026 — A split rock showed damage from freezing weather. Snow and ice gradually crack the volcanic stone apart.

turkey2026 — Virginia Ann photographed the frozen landscape in winter clothing. Temperatures remained cold throughout the day. The weather added atmosphere to every stop.

turkey2026 — The fairy chimneys became irresistible photography subjects. Changing light emphasized their unusual textures. Every angle produced a different composition.

turkey2026 — A wooden door fit perfectly into a carved rock home. Modern use blended naturally with the ancient structures.

turkey2026 — Our next stop was the Özkonak Underground City an ancient, multi-level subterranean settlement. Discovered in 1972 by a farmer, this historically significant site was built into volcanic granite on the slopes of Mt. Idis, featuring narrow tunnels, ventilation, and moving stone doors that housed families, livestock, and wineries.

turkey2026 — The city is believed to have been carved around the 4th century BC, with significant expansion by Christians during the Byzantine era (approx. 5th-6th century) to hide from invaders.

turkey2026 — Here is a round stone used as a door to the room. Özkonak Underground City consists of 10 levels (4 are open to the public) reaching a depth of approximately 120 feet.

turkey2026 — Our next stop was St. John Church carved directly into the volcanic rock face and dates back to the early Christian period. While the exterior is modest, it features well-preserved Byzantine frescoes inside.

turkey2026 — Lower-level frescoes showed traces of erased human figures. Iconoclasm during the Byzantine era led to the destruction of many images. Fragments of the original paintings still remain.

turkey2026 — In 1212, the upper floor had been added to the original building. The upper floor has a rich collection of human figures. It is simply amazing.

The Last Supper fresco is generally dated to the 13th century, specifically around 1212 during the reign of Theodore I Lascaris. The scene features a central dish holding a fish, symbolizing Christ, placed within a large chalice on the table.

turkey2026 — The figures are painted in a traditional Byzantine style with medallion framing, which was common for the region during this period.

turkey2026 — A fresco of the Last Judgment. The artwork features Byzantine-style figures, including bishops and a large, dragon-like beast representing the beast from the Book of Revelation.

turkey2026 — The scene depicted is the Anastasis, or the Harrowing of Hell, a common Byzantine theme where Christ descends to the underworld to break its gates and raise the righteous.

turkey2026 — This fresco depicts a scene from chapter 3 of the Book of Daniel of the Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace being protected by the Archangel Michael. The artwork illustrates Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being saved by an angel from the fire ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar.

turkey2026 — This fresco showcases traditional Byzantine iconography, featuring a saint with a halo, often holding a spear or staff.

turkey2026 — Colorful frescoes covered the church ceiling overhead. The upper level preserved some of the site’s finest artwork. The paintings transformed the cave into a sacred space.

turkey2026 — Virginia Ann posing in the entrance to St. John Church.

turkey2026 — We then attended a pottery demonstration and avoided purchasing any pottery.

turkey2026 — Back at our cave hotel, Virginia Ann and Cal are eating dinner under the Last Supper. It is a replication added to the dining room during renovation.

Previous Day Prev P

Next Day Next N

Top

Top

Cal and VA | Adventures | Türkiye

© Cal and Virginia Ann Holman
All Rights Reserved 2000-2026 Do not use without permission.
Privacy Policy - Terms

Modified last on 2026-05-12